Is There Still Time?

 Is There Still Time? 

By Coach Frank Sagasta 

November 2024

I was recently in our newly built gymnasium, preparing to embark upon my next class. When a student came and said, “Mr. Sagasta, you should write a book!” I replied, “I am not a writer, but I like writing, such as blogs or short posts. And I like taking notes and sharing my thoughts in a journal.” I said, “Why don’t you write a book? ” The student replied, “I would, but I procrastinate too much.” 

This made me wonder: How many students am I surrounded by each day who suffer from the same problem?  What do you think is the real problem?  Is it too late for this misdirected or unproductive 15-year-old?  When do we actually reach the point of no return and I have to settle for the life we have chosen or have chosen for us?  After having this short conversation with this student.  It made me think really hard about the stories that I’ve read over the last decade.  It made me think about the research that great scholars and scientists have been looking at regarding procrastination, productivity, creativity, and motivation.  

The first name that came to mind was Thomas Edison.  Thomas Edison‘s teacher said he was “too stupid to learn anything.”  Mr. Edison was fired from his first two jobs for being non-productive.  As an inventor, Mr. Edison made 10,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the lightbulb.  When a reporter asked, “How did he feel to fail 10,000 times?”  Mr. Edison replied,  “I didn’t fail 10,000 times.  The lightbulb was an invention with 10,000 steps.”  

Unproductive behavior can often feel like a heavy anchor, weighing down our potential and stifling our aspirations.  Sometimes it is caused by laziness, procrastination, and unmotivated behavior.  However, recognizing these habits is the first step toward transformation.  It’s the first step towards change.  Instead of viewing them as failures, we can see them as valuable lessons, teaching us what doesn’t serve our goals.  Each moment spent in laziness, non-productivity, or unmotivated offers an opportunity for reflection and growth!  It’s a chance to reassess our priorities and realign our time, energy, efforts, attitudes, and attention.  When we acknowledge these patterns without judgment, we empower ourselves to break free, harnessing our time, effort, energy, and focus toward meaningful actions that catapult us forward.  Remember, every small step taken in situational awareness can lead to significant change, guiding us toward a more fulfilling and productive life.  

Life experiences are wonderful teachers.  The process of finding Almighty God’s will or purpose, for our lives is not easily done at 15, 18, 25, or 30 years of age.  We must undergo the unfolding process of understanding our abilities, talents, desires, and passions.  But we should learn to accept and embrace the journey of discovery—recognizing that even unpleasant experiences are useful tools for providing more clarity.  In the end, we must find our vision and our WHY.  We must be well-versed in the discipline or we will miss the opportunities.  

7 strategies for overcoming procrastination: 

1. Identify your biggest distractions; tackle them first. 

2. Break tasks into bite-sized pieces; it’s less daunting. 

3. Commit to just 5 minutes of work; often, you'll keep going. 

4. Set clear deadlines; they create urgency. 

5. Reward yourself after completing tasks; it keeps you motivated. 

6. Reflect on your progress weekly; it builds momentum.

7. Learn how to leverage time wisely and you will be rich!! 

Bounce: Find a mentor or coach who is willing to assist you in overcoming those obstacles.  Make sure these people provide you with exercises and books that help train the mind.  

THE END 

Coach Frank Sagasta 

Arizona Professional Skills Professor 

Leadership Training Executive 

H.O.P.E Co